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Read the press release here.

Contest Seeks Talented Writers Among Queens Kids

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | September 25, 2015 3:50pm | Updated on September 27, 2015 5:11pm
 The contest seeks to encourage the next generation of Queens writers. 
The contest seeks to encourage the next generation of Queens writers. 
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Newtown Literary

QUEENNS — Know a student who loves to write stories or poems? This contest might be their big breakthrough.

Hoping to encourage the next generation of local writers, Newtown Literary, a semiannual journal dedicated to promoting the work of authors from Queens, is launching its second writing competition for kids in grades three through 12.

"At a time when schools are focused on writing for standardized tests, this contest encourages young writers to pursue and improve their creative writing skills," said Tim Fredrick, editor of the journal and president of Newtown Literary Alliance, a nonprofit which publishes the magazine.

During the first edition of the "Queens Young Authors and Poets" contest in 2014, more than 100 children from around the borough submitted their pieces.

Winners in six categories (poetry and prose writers from third through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade and ninth through 12th grade) will have their work published along with professional writers in the journal's next issue in the spring and will participate in the awards ceremony in June 2016.

The contest is free to enter, but the journal has launched an online fundraising campaign on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, hoping to collect $1,500, Fredrick said. The money would help cover the costs of running the online submissions site and arranging the awards ceremony.

The organizers are also hoping to award the winners with gift bags that will include high-quality journals and pens, as well as books.

"Without the money raised from this campaign, the journal would not be able to afford this important opportunity for Queens's young writers," Fredrick said in a statement. 

As of Friday, the site gathered more than $1,100. Those interested can contribute as little as $5 until Sept. 30 here

The group will start accepting submissions in October, the organizers said.

For more information contact Tim Fredrick at editor@newtownliterary.org